Tax Audit Deadline: Ludhiana Association Seeks Extension Till October 31, 2026:

The Taxation Bar Association, Ludhiana, has requested the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to extend the deadline for filing Tax Audit Reports for Assessment Year 2026-27.

In a letter dated September 17, the association requested that the existing September 30, 2026 deadline be extended to October 31, 2026. The association said tax professionals are facing difficulties in completing a large number of audits within the current timeframe.

The association pointed out that tax professionals have already dealt with successive compliance deadlines on July 31 and August 31, followed by the September 30 deadline for tax audit reports. According to the association, professionals are currently handling audits of companies, firms, LLPs, individuals and other taxpayers within a short period.

It said tax audits involve detailed checking and reconciliation of books of accounts, financial records, GST and TDS information, bank transactions, statutory payments and other details. The association said the tight schedule is putting considerable pressure on tax professionals and their staff and could affect the quality and accuracy of audit work.

The association further requested that, if the tax audit deadline is extended to October 31, the income tax return filing deadline for audit cases also be extended to November 30, 2026, wherever the prescribed one-month gap between the audit report and return filing applies.

The Taxation Bar Association also urged the CBDT to issue the necessary order or circular before the existing September 30 deadline, so that taxpayers and professionals can plan their compliance work without uncertainty or undue pressure.